The noise was a little better today, until after lunch. Then it sounded like they were using a chain saw right over us. So much for learning anything today! I was on Splitcoaststampers and came across a scrap booking challenge. Here is my entry: I turned the sketch around so that my pictures would fit on it. The paper is by S.E.I. It was fun scrap booking again. I hope to get back into it full swing.... My Confederate Jasmin is in full bloom. The sweet smell carries over the entire yard. Have a great day!

It's really hard to keep my students on task these days. It was especially hard today. It didn't help that they are installing a new roof on the school and just happened to be working right over my room all day today. We kept waiting for something to fall on our heads.

I found this file at Target in the clearance bin. I couldn't believe the price on it. I kept it kinda plain, thinking that I will beef it up a little when I decide what or who I will give it to. It measures 11 1/4" x 12 1/2".

Zack helped me plant three hazelnut trees and a red maple this weekend. Flowers are popping up everywhere.

Here is the frog statue that holds up a birdbath in the center of the little fish pond. The water iris' beautiful this year.

I started the weekend out pretty good. Friday, J.P. brought Madison over to stay with us for the weekend. It was their anniversary, and they went to Clearwater Beach. We picked Catherine up on the way to Dad's on Saturday. They had a great time playing together. While at my dad's I realized that I have a bladder infection. So, I made everyone load up, so I could get home and get some meds......

This is a pencil box that I got from Target a few weeks ago. I altered it just a little for my desk.

Madison got to meet our birdhouse guest. lol We have some beautiful flowers popping up everywhere.

I started cleaning off my work space and came across a Laughing Cow Cheese box that my friend Connie challenged me to alter. I just happened to get some new toys to work with too! The Circle Scissor Plus is awesome, and you have got to try out the Craft and Paper scissors from Stampin' Up. They are top notch!

Here is my altered Laughing Cow Cheese box. I painted the edges of the circles with Tim Holtz Crackle paint. After it dried I sponged alcohol ink over the crackled surface. I could buy the crackle paint in various colors, but I chose "picket fence". I now can change it to any color I need.

I glittered it up with stickles, Intentionally leaving the bottom of the box with an unfinished look.

As I was watering the flowers in the front yard after dinner, I came across this. lol I guess this little guy lives in one of the bird houses that I have in my flower beds. He was in it the day Catherine and I opened the backs of all of them to clean them out. I guess he lives there! What shall I name my new pet?

I spent the weekend getting ready for Monday's Stampers Ten club meeting. With Sonny's ribs hurt we won't be taking to boat out anytime soon. I worked in the garden for a few hours on Sunday. I noticed that we have squash and tomatoes now. I have never seen tomatoes grow like these before. They are called Sweet 100. I bet I'll be eating squash from my garden within the week. Here is a picture of the male cat that has adopted us. He lives the life! My granddaughter Catherine, has named him Charlo.

Happy Birthday Sabrina! I hope you have a wonderful day.

I have the hardest headed husband (HHH), in the world. I ended up staying home from work again yesterday, because Sonny slipped off the top step of his truck. (18-wheeler) He managed to hit his rib cage on the steps, which did some damage. He could hardly move by the time I got home from my club meeting Thursday night. So, I stayed home to take him to the doctor, but he wouldn't go. I realize that he was in severe pain, but he made me miserable all day Friday. I wished that I had gone on to work. This man is the king of hard-headed men!

Once he fell asleep sitting up on the sofa, I went to my stamp room to start preparing for Monday's Stamper's Ten club meeting. I had a clear picture frame sitting on the shelf and it was begging for me to do something with it. So, I was sidetracked..... I'll prep my club projects today! lol

Here is my Photo Frame Project;

I had fun creating this photo flip book. I used one Stampin' Up Scrapbook kits called "Summer Home". The kits include 8 sheets of 12 x 12 card stock, 6 sheets double-sided designer paper, and 6 sheets of self-adhesive die cuts.

Tonight is my Thursday Stampers Ten club meeting. Here is one of the projects that we will create tonight. My Monday club will complete one in a different color. This paper is Stampin' Up's Sunshine Garden. They have some beautiful paper right now. The box is a Sizzix die called #2 Box, it can only be used with the Sizzix Big Shot.

I took today off. I haven't taken a personal day all year and I really need one. I think my students need a break from me too! I came home yesterday and went right to work in the yard. I picked up all the tree limbs, twigs, and palm fronds that had blown down in the storm the other night. I filled the wheelbarrow up three times. The garden did well, nothing was destroyed, at least not by the wind and rain. The local squirrels are doing some damage. I think I'll put a squirrel feeder over in the woods to draw their attention away from my garden. I doubt that would work, they are really digging the squash plants right now. They have also picked some of my tomatoes. Squash tomatoesblack-eyed peas I love watching things grow.

My Power returned just as I shut everything down and turned off the generator. Yippee! I could stay up a little later. This is what I did with my time.

I needed another door prize for my second stamp club. Have a great day and stay safe.

What a wild day at school. Our power went out just as the students got to homeroom. We didn't even have time to take roll. It stayed out most of the day. I guess we finally got power around 1:30 - 2:00, somewhere around there. The kids were restless, their whole routine was out of whack. It really doesn't help that our classroom has no windows. So, when the power goes out it is very dark and it gets hot quickly. We have two emergency lights in my room, so I was a little better off than some of the other rooms. The room across the hall from me was pitch black. I am so glad I wasn't in that room. I made it through the day and came home to find that I have no power at home either. I will not be stamping tonight, because we are about to turn the generator off and go to bed. I hope we have power in the morning.

I am working on the club projects for this month and realized that I need a door prize. Here is what I came up with. Nothing fancy, just a little matchbox filled with four pieces of candy. I didn't use my Stampin' Up paper. The matchbox is the new Sizzix die from Stampin' Up, it's awesome!

Hello, I hope everyone had an amazing Easter. I know I did. My kids have really spoiled me this weekend. I taught a class at Priceless Scrapbooks on Saturday. When I got home Zack and Sabrina (his girlfriend) were here cooking a birthday dinner for me. Matt and Candace showed up and cooked the appetizer. Then JP and Tammy showed up with more goodies. I know that Zack had started planning this last week. He wanted to do something special for me for my birthday. I don't think that Zack and Sabrina ever left the kitchen, they even did all the dishes....! Thanks for a wonderful birthday gift. I was the Queen! lol

Everyone went to JP and Tammy's for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. They had about 25 people show up for a great dinner. I am very impressed that my boys have turned out to be such good cooks.

Here are the little jelly bean boxes that I made for Easter. I used them for the table centerpiece and let anyone that wanted a little Easter treat take one during the day. I even had one.

Here is the picture of the stationery box that I taught this weekend. I had promised everyone that took the class that I would put this picture of the inside for them.

I want to share a picture of an alligator that we saw last week on the river. There is a red alert out on the gators right now. They are nesting. This one was about about 8 feet long as best as we can guess. We continued fishing down the river and heard a racket coming toward us and another gator launched itself off the river bank about 40 feet from the boat. It was one of the biggest alligators that I have seen on the Okalawaha River. I know it was at least 10 feet long and the most aggressive one I have seen in the wild. I would defiantly stay away from her nest. It happened so quickly that I didn't get a picture of her. We didn't hang around! lol

Good Morning, I can't believe that it is April already. I have been enjoying my Spring Break, but it is time to get back to work. I did teach a class at Priceless last Tuesday. The class was for the Coupon Book and Magnetic Grocery List. The class was filled with wonderful ladies and we had a great time.

I am teaching another class on April 11th. The next class is a Stationery Box filled with goodies (cards, note cards, tags, beaded pen, pillow box etc.)

Front outside view :

Inside view: Pillow box and tags:

Note cards: Card samples: